Aamir Khan deals with the challenges faced by disabled people in this country

Kudos...Aamir Khan!!! After watching the sixth episode of Aamir Khan’s show Satyamev Jayate (Star Plus), one cannot help but give a pat on Mr Khan’s back. The show has managed to create a buzz amongst the masses of this country. It has showed that at a time when we are treading on the path of progression, we are still unaware and least bothered about the grave issues which engulf our “not so fortunate” brothers and sisters. Now let’s bring our focus back on the sixth episode. It started with a video of cute and lovely Shreya Chaturvedi, a resident of New Delhi. She might not be able to walk but the way she talked and adored her mother’s love, it clearly showed that she flies in her mind. Moving on, the episode struck another positive and inspiring note by telling the tale of young and ambitious Sai Prasad Vishwanathan. Sai is disabled, but with his determination, focus and will power, he has touched the sky. Yes, he has skydived, gone to US to study, has a superb job and enjoys life to the fullest. Sai also pointed out the lack of necessary infrastructural facilities for the disabled in this country. But all in all, he is an epitome of liberty who can win races on his own, without being dependent on anyone. Then came the story of funny and intelligent Krishnakant Mane. Krishna has had his share of challenges in life but he has trampled everything and has found reasons to smile. An engineer, who works in IIT, he has found love and is happily settled. But the real heart-rending story was of young and beautiful Nisha from Bangalore. Nisha, who has wonderful parents, suffers from a rare skin disease which has left her being ugly in the eyes of the society. Once she went to a mall and an “educated and well dressed” woman came and spat on her face. She told that a girl like her should not venture out of the house. Nisha’s mom got angry but Nisha (only four and a half years then) said in heavenly words, “Why should we be sorry? The lady has done wrong. She should feel bad. Not us” That moment Aamir had tears in his eyes, and we are sure, so did millions across the globe. The story stabbed the hearts of everyone and it showed the hypocrisy and heartlessness of the so called civilized society. The show also reflected how the government is least bothered about disabled persons whose number go up to 6-7 crores in this country. But the government record states that their population is only 2-3 percent of the total milieu. Aamir also depicted society’s antipathy towards them who think that a person is disabled as he or she had done some sin in the previous life. Folks...it is time for us to ponder upon the issue and stop being insensitive towards our own brethren. Furthermore, the show churned out some more positive stories. Amar Jyoti School in Delhi is a beaming example of being an inclusive school which can put all other institutions in the country to shame. It has wonderful and apt infrastructure which intelligently designed and modeled to accommodate all types of students. Hats’ off to Captain Brar from Ahmedabad whose e-learning company is one of the best in the world. And who does he credit his success to? He thanks 200 physically disabled employees who work in his company and are very “dedicated and loyal”. Dr Rajendra Jauhar met with an accident at the age of 40 and became handicapped. But a true leader, he started Family of Disabled (FOD) wherein he provides education and work to disabled. He said that “he enjoys his work to the core”. And who cannot but get impressed by witnessing the work out session between Aamir and Delhi’s power-lifter Joginder Singh Saluja. All in all, the episode was good and poignant. It highlighted the human spirit and how it triumphs over all obstacles and worries. Government is not concerned, the society is indifferent towards them, and even Bollywood shows disabled persons as only beggars or even worse, blind singing beggars. So what if they are blind or can’t walk, they are a part of us and they have the right to education, employment and of course, happiness. It is time to bring a change. To end, critics and cynics might shower Aamir with words of negativity, but one thing is for sure, he has certainly opened a new chapter in the world of Indian television. In his words, Jai Hind...Satyamev Jayate!!!